Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country with approximately 600,000 new stroke cases each year. Mortality rates as high as 40 percent have been reported for stroke as a result of ischemia associated with the carotid distribution. Currently, the primary therapy for carotid artery occlusive disease is carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or the surgical removal of atheromatous material from inside the artery.